A depressive alcoholic heads to Las Vegas and vows to drink himself to death in four weeks after he loses his job as a Hollywood talent agent and sells everything he owns. This powerful and unusually non-judgmental romantic tragedy… MoreA depressive alcoholic heads to Las Vegas and vows to drink himself to death in four weeks after he loses his job as a Hollywood talent agent and sells everything he owns. This powerful and unusually non-judgmental romantic tragedy chronicles his final descent, a steady slide that is only interrupted by a brief and passionate affair with a lonely, pragmatic streetwalker. Soon after arriving in the glittering city, he buys an enormous cache of booze and checks himself into the sleaziest hotel he can find. He sees Sera walking down the street and offers her $500. He then finds that what he really needs is someone to listen to him. Struck by his neediness, Sera asks Ben to stay with her, and he agrees to on the condition that she not interfere with his drinking. Though the story is sad, it doesn't flinch when presenting the story realistically without undue sentimentality. Ben is determined to commit slow suicide and Sera knows there is nothing she can do to stop him. She simply respects his wish to die and loves him for what he is.

I love Nicolas Cage, but this movie just made me love him more. Him, and of course Elisabeth Shue, who made the movie.

Chris Weber

This is an underappreciated gem of the cinema of the 1990's. Nicolas Cage gives his best performance of his career here, and rightfully won the Oscar for… MoreThis is an underappreciated gem of the cinema of the 1990's. Nicolas Cage gives his best performance of his career here, and rightfully won the Oscar for his work. Shue should have won, as she also gives an excellent performance, but sadly that didn't happen. The writing is excellent and the portrayal of depression and late-stage alcoholism is spot on perfect. This is not an uplifting film, but it's an honest one, despite it's tragic and gloomy nature.

Jack Hawkins

Don't get me wrong, this film is thoroughly downbeat, however I feel alcoholism is still somewhat sugar coated. The likelihood of Ben Sanderson (Nicolas… MoreDon't get me wrong, this film is thoroughly downbeat, however I feel alcoholism is still somewhat sugar coated. The likelihood of Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) finding a woman as attractive and utterly devoted as Sera (Elizabeth Shue) is slim. It's possible of course, their bond is understandable; they're both people in grave need of care, one being a severe addict and the other being a victim on the fringe of society. Also, the crucial element that makes the relationship and indeed the film work is its platonic aberrance.
Nevertheless, I thought that 'Leaving Las Vegas' is a somewhat idealised account of dire alcoholism. This really struck me in an erotically charged scene in which the pair kiss and caress each other with the help of a large bottle of liquor - it's an image that would exist merely in the dreams of most addicts. However, the engaging central romance certainly beats 2 hours of a more ordinary dive into alcoholism, which would be a film of roughly two sets: a pub and a bedroom stained with urine, excrement, blood and vomit.
A film of this nature depends on a good central performance, and it gets one. Cage is depressingly real and effective as Ben. I am a fan of many of Cage's unhinged roles, however 'Leaving Las Vegas' is one the films that proves that when he moderates his idiosyncratic lunacy, he can produce genuinely good, measured performances.
The film is scored with smooth, melancholic Jazz tracks and the narrative is constructed by a tautly composed prologue which gives a brief insight into Ben's life before he left for Las Vegas. This includes a brilliant scene of Ben ridding himself of his personal and professional existence to the sound of Michael McDonald's energetic 'Lonely Teardrops'. It's a scene of mixed emotions, although he is condemning himself, it is also an act of liberation. Not much detail is given about his life in the prologue, however it is clear that he was a popular and successful family man. When he is fired, his boss says with a touching sincerity 'we enjoyed having you around here, but you know how it is', giving him a cheque which Ben describes as 'too generous'. This depth given to Cage's character makes his decline all the more tragic.
'Leaving Las Vegas' is dark, seedy and tragic. Recommended.

Conner Rainwater

Just a beautiful unconventional piece of storytelling with characters that are irresistible. Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue both gave equally flawless… MoreJust a beautiful unconventional piece of storytelling with characters that are irresistible. Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue both gave equally flawless performances as self destructive human beings, yet incredibly sympathetic. You really can't believe the amount of alcohol consumed on screen, it must be a bottle of hard liquor a minute. It almost makes you want to never drink again, the performances are that believable and effective.

Derek Daniels

Cage actually became an alcoholic for two weeks and videotaped himself drunk every night to prepare for this role. It won him an Academy Award for Best Actor,… MoreCage actually became an alcoholic for two weeks and videotaped himself drunk every night to prepare for this role. It won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, too. He's literally smashed in every single scene and as sad as it is to watch himself literally drink himself to death, it's what he wants to accomplish and he does it. Elisabeth Shue plays the prostitute who's helpless to watch him slowly kill himself. Numerous cameos in this one.

Jason Owens

Awesome job by Cage, like he's known of doing every few movies. Unbelievable that someone can be that bad of an alcoholic, but this movie will convince you… MoreAwesome job by Cage, like he's known of doing every few movies. Unbelievable that someone can be that bad of an alcoholic, but this movie will convince you they can.

paul oh

Nick Cage loses his mind and wins an oscar...what a movie! The story and his acting blend in such a intriguing way that you have to appreciate it!

xGary Xx

An alcoholic whose life falls apart decides to sell up and move to Las Vegas with the express intention of drinking himself to death, where he meets a hooker… MoreAn alcoholic whose life falls apart decides to sell up and move to Las Vegas with the express intention of drinking himself to death, where he meets a hooker with whom he embarks on a dysfunctional relationship. The ultimate expression of a love story between two people who refuse to change who they are, Leaving Las Vegas has a real European flavour to it; this is the kind of self destructive, tragic romance that is usually the proviso of the French! Some may find his affected performances (understandably) irritating, but his manic shambling/shouting repartee is actually perfect for the part of a drunk circling the pan of his life and this is surely one of his best. Elisabeth Shue is less convincing, perhaps a little too attractive and clean cut for the part she is playing and the supporting characters (Yuri in particular) aren't really explored. The garish bright lights of Las Vegas make the perfect backdrop for the story however and there are many memorable moments, mainly provided by Cage's drunken rampages. I could've done without Sting's faux jazz crooning that permeates the film and it did feel a little like a case of style over substance on second viewing but it has moments of genius (including the least erotic yet touching sex scene you are likely to see) and is the kind of film I wish was made in America a little more often. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas meets Love Story.

Anthony Lawrie

Love this film. It?s a very moving story of two lost souls finding each other albeit, a little too late. Cage deserved his Oscar for his performance but Shue… MoreLove this film. It?s a very moving story of two lost souls finding each other albeit, a little too late. Cage deserved his Oscar for his performance but Shue was overlooked I believe.

Dan Schultz

A devastating, emotional, original love story which focuses on two very distraught and socially unaccepted individuals, who accept each other for who they are… MoreA devastating, emotional, original love story which focuses on two very distraught and socially unaccepted individuals, who accept each other for who they are and live with one another's decisions. With all the formulaic, happy-feeling love stories we get nowadays, it's a pleasure to finally see a film like this, one that is so brutally honest as to what love is. Not for everyone, the content is rough and the way the two lead characters lead their lives isn't fun to watch, but this is a harrowing depiction of alcoholism, prostitution, and how these lifestyles lead to nothing but pain and agony. One of the better films of the 90's, with two outstanding lead performances (Nicolas Cage is simply incredible, and Elisabeth Shue embodies her character fully) that anchor this heart-wrenching love story.